Partners to accompany mothers for maximum of two hours after childbirth - The Age

Elena Bruno-Scott with her husband Gideon Scott. She is trying to organise an early release from hospital so she can recover at home with her partnerCredit:Joe Armao

"It’s being treated as a second class parent from day one," she said of the new rules.

Ms Bruno-Scott is booked to give birth at the Mercy Hospital for Women in Heidelberg but wants to see if she can be sent home early, instead of spending the majority of her first days as a mother alone.

"We’ve had a good think about this, and as long as it doesn’t put me and the baby in danger, definitely early discharge is the way to go for me," she said.

“I feel like I need a space where I can recover physically and mentally in a comfortable manner, and being alone is not where I’d want to be especially if I’m still struggling to walk around and get up from bed".

New mothers will be able to have their partner or support person with them for a maximum of two hours, Health Minister Jenny Mikakos announced on Thursday as 403 new coronavirus cases were recorded in the state.

After a woman gives birth, her partner or support person will only be allowed to stay for a further two hours.

RANZCOG president Dr Vijay Roach said hospitals remained the safest place to give birth, and the needs of new mothers could be met while also protecting healthcare workers from coronavirus.

"There has necessarily and appropriately been an emphasis on the physical implications of the COVID-19 infection on the health of the community," Dr Roach said.

"However, we must remain aware that pregnancy and parenting are associated with anxiety and depression, and these new rules potentially place women, their partners and families at increased risk. We call on the Victorian Government to urgently review these restrictions."

Ms Mikakos said the changes were "designed to strike the balance between compassion ... and putting the safety of those residents and patients first", and a government spokeswoman confirmed the change apply to both public and private hospitals across the whole of Victoria.

Ms Bruno-Scott was among many expectant mothers who expressed their concerns over the changes.

Because her family are all overseas, Ms Bruno-Scott's husband Gideon - who also has no relatives in Melbourne - is her only support in Melbourne.

"We feel he [her husband] has as much of a right as me to bond with our new born baby," she said.

She said she could not see the logic in resticting the time partners spent with mothers and new babies.

"I completely understand the [coronavirus] concern, and I agree there shouldn’t be a coming and going of visitors," she said. "But the chances are if he had COVID-19, then there's a good chance I would too."

Visiting restrictions will be tightened across Victorian hospitals and aged care facilities as case numbers continue to rise among healthcare workers, nursing home staff and residents.

Only one person can visit hospital patients and aged care home residents for one hour a day, but there will be exceptions for parents with children in hospital and visitors of patients in palliative care.

Other exceptions include nominated mental health supporters, people providing language support and people visiting patients in life-threatening situations.

"This addresses some of the concerns we have seen in relation to at least one health service I'm aware of in the past week," said Ms Mikakos. "We ask for Victorians' understanding at this challenging time."

At least 450 healthcare workers have tested positive since the pandemic began, and the number of infected aged care residents and staff has risen rapidly in recent weeks.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiiAFodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVhZ2UuY29tLmF1L25hdGlvbmFsL3ZpY3RvcmlhL3BhcnRuZXJzLXRvLWFjY29tcGFueS1tb3RoZXJzLWZvci1tYXhpbXVtLW9mLXR3by1ob3Vycy1hZnRlci1jaGlsZGJpcnRoLTIwMjAwNzIzLXA1NWV1NS5odG1s0gGIAWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLnRoZWFnZS5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvdmljdG9yaWEvcGFydG5lcnMtdG8tYWNjb21wYW55LW1vdGhlcnMtZm9yLW1heGltdW0tb2YtdHdvLWhvdXJzLWFmdGVyLWNoaWxkYmlydGgtMjAyMDA3MjMtcDU1ZXU1Lmh0bWw?oc=5

2020-07-23 09:14:00Z
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